Barton hoped to be back to face his old club Manchester City, but Sam Allardyce says he is unlikely to be back in action for Newcastle until the third week in October.
Barton To Miss 'Warm Welcome' Against City!
The midfielder had been tipped to make his first-team return from a broken foot against former club on September 29, but Sam understands the bad feeling between 'certain' City players and the England international, and would rather not risk his player in such circumstances.
With Barton's metatarsal injury more serious than first thought, why risk it? And that could mean the home game against Tottenham on October 22 is Barton's most realistic target.
Allardyce: "Joey Barton is back in training on his own at the moment. The specialist has given him the all-clear to start a little bit of running. I would say it is probably between three and four weeks.
"The extent of the break meant that is wasn't going to be the normal six weeks. It appears to be a little bit longer than that.
"I would have hoped not. I'd be hopeful the present form of the players who are fit would mean that he might be fit to be unselected!
"That would be a nice scenario for me . . . to get him back fit again and then to say: 'Sorry Joey, can't put you in because these lads are doing that well. Glad to have you back, but you have to take your chance when it comes around'."